CRUISING FOR BARGAINS

Gary Belsky, Money MagazineCHICAGO TRIBUNE

The recent headlines about an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease on a cruise ship have overshadowed the real news in cruising: A record shipbuilding spree now under way promises a tidal wave of deep-sea discounts over the next few years.

At least 23 ocean liners are scheduled to set sail over the next four years, adding an astounding 35,300 berths and boosting total capacity by 33 percent.

With so much new supply coming on line, bargains should blossom for U.S. travelers, who can already sail to nearly 400 international ports aboard more than 110 cruise ships. "We could see a lot more discounting when all those ships are launched," says Larry Fishkin of the Cruise Line travel agency in Miami.

Even better news is that in the increasingly competitive cruise business, discounts of 25 to 60 percent or more are already available to vacationers who look for the deals and promotions that crowd the cruising seascape.

"With planning by the flexible traveler, there's almost no need to pay list price for a cruise," says Josephine Kling of Landry & Kling agency in Coral Gables, Fla.

Navigating such waters, however, can be tricky, especially if you're among the 92 percent of Americans who have never taken a cruise. To help make your voyage seaworthy, travel agents and cruising experts were canvassed to find the best values for the upcoming season as well as smart strategies for choosing the right cruise for you. Here's what the pros recommend:

- Don't fret about "sick" ships. Despite last July's occurrence of Legionnaires' disease on Celebrity Cruise's Horizon, government health officials say you're no more likely to contract the disease on cruise ships than you are in an office or a hotel room. In addition, most cruise liners are routinely inspected by the Centers for Disease Control. For a free copy of the "green sheet"-a report that rates sanitation on all cruise ships that call at foreign and U.S. ports-write to the U.S. Public Health Service, 1015 N. American Way, Room 107, Miami 33132.

- Rely on a cruise-only travel agency. There are more than 800 of these specialty outfits around. "Their agents are likely to have sailed on many cruises, so they know the ships," says M.T. Schwartzman, cruise editor of "Fodor's '95 Cruises and Ports of Call." In addition, cruise-only agencies routinely offer discounts of 25 to 60 percent because they can sell large blocks of tickets for specific lines. Still, call at least three agencies to compare prices.

- Book early. Many cruise lines offer discounts of 30 percent or more for booking nine months to a year in advance and, depending on availability, even three to six months before sailings. Almost every cruise to the popular Alaska ports, for example, has some sort of advance-booking discount. But the longer you wait, the fewer choices of cabin or destination.

- If you don't book early, book late. As sail dates approach, cruise operators invariably unload canceled or unsold cabins. You can often save more than 25 to 50 percent for reserving late, usually one to two months before departure. Even better bargains may be found a day or two before departure, though ships are usually fully booked by then.

- Don't assume the rate you're quoted includes airfare. Because a growing number of travelers are cashing in their frequent-flier mileage for airfare to and from the port of departure, cruise lines are beginning to advertise shipboard-only packages. If you lack frequent-flier miles, the cruise line's airfare add-on is probably the best deal you'll find.

- Sail when others don't. By selecting a trip off-season-say, the Caribbean in the fall instead of the winter-you can typically cut 20 percent or more off the in-season list price.

- Make your first voyage short. Woe to the unwary seasick claustrophobe whose first cruise is a 21-day jaunt to Tahiti. Cruising, even on floating hotels with movie theaters, casinos and other land-lubberly pursuits, is still an acquired taste. Make a small investment in a three- or four-day cruise to test the waters.

Finally, here's a judicious roundup of some of the best cruising bargains for the 1994-95 season. Prices are discount fares for certain dates and sailings quoted by cruise-only agencies and are per person based on double occupancy:

- All in the family. Three-day, Looney Tunes-theme cruises from Tampa to Key West on one of three Premier Cruise Line ships, followed by four days at Disney World (including Epcot Center) and the Kennedy Space Center. Rental car and hotel included. Dates through Dec. 19. An inside cabin that sleeps four costs $949 for the first two passengers, plus air, $599 per child.

- Honeymoon. Seven days on the 1,242-passenger Dreamward, departing Sundays from Ft. Lauderdale from November through March. Includes stops at Grand Cayman and Cancun. Warning: Twelve-screen sports bar may be hazardous to newlywed bliss. Norwegian, with outside cabins starting at $952.

- Singles. Three days from Miami to the Bahamas on the giant 2,040-passenger Ecstasy, one of the four Carnival megaships that cater to Generation X-ers and thirtysomethings. Through Dec. 19, $579.

- Caribbean. The 1,214-passenger Nieuw Amsterdam leaves Tampa for a seven-day cruise through the Western Caribbean and Mexico, calling at Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, among other ports. The decor tends to Dutch nautical antiques. From October to December. Holland America. Outside cabins start at $956.

- Hawaii. Holland America's flagship, the 1,075-passenger Rotterdam, leaves Los Angeles Nov. 1 for a 16-day round trip, including stops at Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. The dazzling Ritz-Carlton ballroom is but one of this liner's many charms. Rates start at $3,724, but a second passenger sails for 70 percent off.

- Alaska '95. Book early for this 11-night round-trip sail from Vancouver to Victoria, Skagway and Misty Fjord, on the 1,012-passenger Nordic Prince. Royal Caribbean. Outside cabins start at $1,699.

A SAMPLING OF CRUISE-ONLY AGENTS

The agents on this list offer deals costing 20 to 60 percent less than list prices. For an agency near you, write the National Association of Cruise Only Agencies, 3191 Coral Way, Suite 630, Miami 33145.